Calciolangbeinite is a very rare sulfate mineral found in marine evaporite deposits. Collectors typically look for small, cubic, colorless to pale yellow crystals associated with other potash minerals in salt dome environments.
Is this calciolangbeinite?
5-step field checkRun through these checks against the specimen in your hand. The more boxes tick, the more confident the ID.
- 1Test the hardnessTry to scratch calciolangbeinite with a known reference. Calciolangbeinite sits at Mohs 3-3.5, softer than the next harder reference, harder than the previous one.
- 2Check the streakDrag the specimen across an unglazed porcelain plate. Streak: white.
- 3Read the lusterHold the specimen under a strong light. Luster: vitreous.
- 4Match the color rangeCompare against the expected color range: colorless.
- 5Look at form & habitCrystal system: cubic. Typical habit: equant crystals.
Often confused with
Calciolangbeinite vs. its common look-alikes, and how to tell them apart in the field.
Often found alongside calciolangbeinite
Minerals reported to co-occur with calciolangbeinite. Spotting these in float or country rock is a strong cue you are in the right ground.
All properties
- Chemical formula
- K₂Ca₂(SO₄)₃
- Mohs hardness
- 3-3.5
- Density
- 2.68 g/cm³
- Colors
- Streak
- White
- Luster
- Vitreous
- Transparency
- Transparent
- Crystal system
- Cubic
- Crystal habit
- Equant crystals
- Cleavage
- None
- Rarity
- Rare
- Uses
- Collector
- Host rock
- In sublimate crusts around a volcanic fumarole on an active scoria cone
Where rockhounds find calciolangbeinite
Classic worldwide localities
- Yadovitaya [Poisonous] fumarole on the Second scoria cone, Northern Breakthrough of the Great Tolbachik Fissure eruption, Tolbachik volcano, Kamchatka, Russia
Field-hunting tip
Where it forms: In sublimate crusts around a volcanic fumarole on an active scoria cone. If you start seeing langbeinite, piypite, hematite in float, you are in the right ground. Typical habit: equant crystals. Train your eye for that shape before scanning the outcrop.
Common questions
How do you identify calciolangbeinite?+
Where is calciolangbeinite found?+
What rocks look like calciolangbeinite?+
What minerals are found with calciolangbeinite?+
What kind of rock does calciolangbeinite form in?+
What is calciolangbeinite used for?+
Find calciolangbeinite on the map
RockHoundR shows mapped rockhounding spots, access rules, and lets you log every find.
